Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics

Kentucky · Vital Records

chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Pages/death-certificates.aspx

State Vital Records in Kentucky

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Kentucky. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in Kentucky; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •Online: Order through VitalChek, the state's only authorized online vendor; a Will-Call option lets the applicant pick the order up at the Frankfort office (not same day)
  • •By phone: Call VitalChek at 800-241-8322, option 1, or fax VitalChek at 866-283-7477; the office itself takes no card payments by phone
  • •By mail: Mail the VS-31 application with a check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, drawn on a U.S. bank; the drop box at the visitor entrance takes applications too
  • •In person: Visit the Office of Vital Statistics lobby at 275 East Main Street, Frankfort
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Completed application form
  • •Required fee
4
Allow the office's processing time (up to 30 business days for mail orders).

State Vital Records in Kentucky: key facts

What Kentucky says9

Administering office

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics.1

Office location and hours

275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY. 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Eastern, Monday-Friday, excluding state holidays.1

Mail orders

Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621.1

Certificate fee

$6 for the first certified copy; $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1

Processing time

Up to 30 business days for mail orders.1

Who may order

Any applicant.1

Filing deadline

Before final disposition.2

Public record

Death records become public 50 years after the death.1

Records available from

1911.1

Governing law: KRS 381.697

Sources2

  1. 1.Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics
  2. 2.Kentucky death-certificate filing rule (KRS 381.697; KRS 213.076; KRS 213.081; KRS 316; 201 KAR 15:110; 901 KAR 5:090)

Kentucky vital records offices

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics

Phone

502-564-4212

Hours

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Eastern, Monday-Friday, excluding state holidays

Mailing address

Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in Kentucky

Free tools for settling an estate in Kentucky: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In Kentucky, certified death certificates come from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital StatisticsKentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $6Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Kentucky: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysKRS 395.250Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsKRS 396.011, 396.015, 396.055, 396.095, 424.340Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.

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